KP Snacks Boosts Sustainable Agriculture With Farmacy

KP Snacks, a leading UK snack manufacturer, has announced an extension of its sustainable agriculture programme through a new partnership with Farmacy.

Farmacy is an independent agronomy service provider, part of Hutchinsons Group, a major UK agricultural supply and advisory company. 

The companies are partnering with KP Snacks to offer expert guidance on regenerative farming practices to KP's potato farmers, enhancing sustainable agriculture efforts.

This collaboration aims to provide KP Snacks' partner farmers with access to cutting-edge knowledge on adopting and embedding regenerative farming practices.

KP Snacks has been working closely with potato farmers for years, encouraging the implementation of sustainable farming principles.

These include keeping soil covered, maintaining living roots year-round, integrating livestock where possible, maximising crop diversity and minimising soil disturbance.

KP Snacks driving sustainable agriculture

The partnership is a key component of KP Snacks' People & Planet commitments, which include a target of 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2032.

This Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-approved goal is designed to secure long-term food production while minimising environmental impact.

KP Snacks encourages its potato farmers to implement regenerative practices, including: 

• Keeping soil covered  
• Maintaining living roots all year round 
• Integrating livestock wherever possible  
• Maximising crop diversity  
• Minimising soil disturbance  

By taking a holistic approach that considers climate, legislative and economic factors, KP Snacks aims to restore ecological balance and enhance the natural resilience of its agricultural systems.

The collaboration with Farmacy brings expert agronomists on board to provide tailored advice for each farm's specific needs and challenges.

KP Snacks tailored approach and expert support

As consumers become increasingly environmentally conscious, companies like KP Snacks are adapting their supply chains to meet these expectations while also addressing the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.

KP Snacks' efforts are influencing the food industry by demonstrating how large manufacturers can work directly with farmers to implement sustainable practices.

This approach not only helps reduce the company's environmental footprint but also supports the long-term viability of its supply chain.

Challenges in this transition include the initial costs and learning curve associated with adopting new farming practices.

However, successes are already evident in improved soil health, reduced emissions and increased resilience to climate change impacts.

John Glazebrook-Milner, Sustainable Agriculture Manager at Intersnack (parent company of KP Snacks), comments: "With the collective experience of KP Snacks and our farmers, in combination with our new partnership with Farmacy, we are confident that this programme will make a significant, long-lasting and positive impact on our farms and the environment.”  

Mike Young, Chairman of Farmacy, adds: "KP Snacks have recognised the need to help their growers with the transition to more regenerative practices and with Farmacy's knowledge of agronomy, environmental, soil health and farm business management it makes a very strong partnership.

“This partnership supports their growers in understanding and implementing key practices on farm that will have a positive impact right across the food chain as well as enhancing their individual farm businesses."

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